Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution is one of the most important documents in American history. It was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and written on four pieces of animal skin using iron gall ink and a quill. The original document is kept in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. While the words were chosen by a combination of important delegates, the physical act of writing the Constitution was done by Shallus. The document is written in Roundhand, a variant of English round-hand, which is today known as copperplate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Person who wrote the constitution | James Madison |
| Person who scribed the constitution | Jacob Shallus |
| Material used | Animal skin |
| Ink used | Iron gall ink |
| Writing instrument used | Quill, likely a goose quill |
| Type of writing | Roundhand |
| Location of the original constitution | Upper level of the National Archives in the Rotunda |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
James Madison's role in the US Constitution
The US Constitution was inscribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment. It was written on four pieces of animal skin using iron gall ink and a quill, likely that of a goose. The document is written in Roundhand, a style of handwriting that predates the Spencerian and Palmer styles of cursive.
James Madison, an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father, played a pivotal role in drafting and promoting the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" and the "chief author of the Bill of Rights". Madison was a key note-taker, drafter, and influential figure in the committee that put the final touches on the Constitution. He was also a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress and played a crucial role in calling the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia.
Madison's role in the creation of the US Constitution began with his work on the Virginia Constitution in 1776. He then served as a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress from 1780 to 1783 and again from 1787 to 1788. During this time, he helped steer the nation to victory in the American Revolution and his "Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress" served as an important source of information for the activities of Congress during the years leading up to the military victory.
Madison's most significant contribution to the US Constitution was his "Virginia Plan of Government," which he presented to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. This plan, which favored the large states and gave enormous power to a new federal government, became the basis for the debates and compromises that led to the creation of the Constitution. Madison also played a crucial role in shaping the deliberations during the convention, particularly in addressing the weaknesses of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation and remedying the internal injustices of states.
Madison's commitment to individual liberties and his role as a champion of religious, speech, and press freedoms were also reflected in his work on the US Constitution. Despite his initial opposition to including a Bill of Rights in the Constitution, he eventually became an active proponent and introduced a series of proposed amendments that formed the core of what became the Bill of Rights. Madison's "Notes for a Speech in Congress," from June 8, 1789, highlight his arguments as a leader in the First Federal Congress to push for amendments to the Constitution. Ten of these amendments were ratified by the states and became the Bill of Rights.
Email Evidence: Written Notice Validity in Law
You may want to see also
Jacob Shallus' role in the US Constitution
Jacob Shallus played a crucial role in the creation of the US Constitution as the man who engrossed, or transcribed, the final handwritten copy of the document. Shallus was a 37-year-old Pennsylvanian and the son of German immigrants. His father, Valentine Shallus, was an innkeeper who immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1747, and his mother was Frederica Catherina. Shallus had a brother named Thomas, who worked as a mapmaker.
At the time of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Shallus served as the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He was likely recommended for the task of engrossing the Constitution by Thomas Mifflin, a Pennsylvania Convention delegate who had signed many acts engrossed by Shallus. Shallus was a suitable choice not only because of his experience but also because he was readily available, as the Pennsylvania Assembly was meeting upstairs in the state house.
Shallus transcribed the Constitution on four sheets of parchment made from animal skin, either calf, goat, or sheep, measuring 28 3/4 inches by 23 5/8 inches. He used a goose quill and black ink made from iron filings in oak gall, which has since turned brownish. Shallus wrote over 25,000 letters, completing nearly 4,500 words in a single day. For his efforts, he received $30, which was a substantial sum at the time.
The original copy of the US Constitution, engrossed by Shallus, is still on display in the Rotunda of the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. Shallus's name does not appear on the document, but his contribution was significant. The elegant handwriting and meticulous transcription ensured the document was well-written and legible, reflecting the importance and permanence of the Constitution.
The Indian Constitution: A Collaborative Writing Process
You may want to see also
The US Constitution's original medium
The original US Constitution is written in a style of cursive known as "Roundhand", which is written on four pieces of animal skin in iron gall ink using a quill, likely a goose quill. The document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and is currently on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.
Roundhand is a style of English cursive, which is also known as "copperplate", a term that was previously used as a derogatory name for the style. The use of a quill to write the document is notable, as it contributes to certain idiosyncrasies that are evident in the writing. The flexibility of the quill allows for the quintessential line variance associated with Roundhand, which would be difficult to achieve with most contemporary non-flexible writing instruments.
While James Madison is known as the writer of the US Constitution, as he served as one of the key note-takers, drafters, and influential figures in the committee, the physical duty of writing out the clauses went to Shallus, who was chosen for his exceptional penmanship. Madison is quoted as saying that he barely left any sessions for more than a few minutes, while 19 of the 74 invited delegates never attended any. Without Madison's work, as well as the text from Gouverneur Morris, there would have been nothing to endorse. However, Madison lacked the skills needed for the perfect final product, so the delegates chose to use a clerk to guarantee a well-written and legible document with no room for misreading or mistakes.
The US Constitution was first printed in a daily newspaper, the Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, shortly after it was handed to Congress, and subsequent copies were printed across the country. Today, the handwritten Constitution is still available for viewing by the public in the National Archives in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, along with murals depicting important scenes.
Text Messages: Written Notice to Enter?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The US Constitution's original writing implement
The US Constitution was written by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus was chosen because of his exceptional penmanship, and he engrossed the Constitution on four pieces of animal skin using iron gall ink and a quill, likely that of a goose. The style of handwriting is known as Roundhand, which is characterised by its quintessential line variance.
The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787, and it was submitted for ratification to the 13 states on September 28. The document was then stitched together to create a scroll 13 feet and 5 inches long. The handwritten Constitution of the United States is still available for viewing at the National Archives in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
The process of drafting the Constitution involved long and contentious debates among delegates representing diverse interests and views. The delegates crafted compromises, resulting in a powerful central government that addressed concerns about centralised power and loyalty to individual states. The Constitution's longevity and influence are evident, as it stands as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions globally.
While James Madison is recognised as the writer of the US Constitution, his role was primarily as a note-taker and drafter. Madison, along with other key figures like Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, played a significant part in influencing the document's content and ensuring its completion.
The Australian Constitution: Its Historical Writing Process
You may want to see also
The US Constitution's original ink
The US Constitution was handwritten on parchment, a type of material made from animal skin, by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus used iron gall ink, a cheap and common type of ink at the time, and a quill, likely made from goose feathers. The document is written in "Roundhand", a style of handwriting with many varieties.
The Constitution was completed in 1787 and became operational in 1789. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution. The document was inscribed on four or five pieces of parchment, depending on the source. The original US Constitution is currently housed in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum, where it is displayed behind glass in a setting adorned with murals depicting historical scenes.
The process of creating the Constitution involved several key figures. James Madison, one of the key note-takers and drafters, is often credited as the writer of the Constitution. Gouverneur Morris also contributed significantly to the text. However, the duty of physically writing out the clauses fell to Shallus, who was chosen for his exceptional penmanship. The delegates wanted the document to be as legible as possible, ensuring no room for misreading or mistakes.
The use of iron gall ink for the Constitution was practical and intentional. Iron gall ink was widely used from the Middle Ages to the 20th century due to its indelibility and accessibility. This type of ink was also used in other important historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, which was penned by Timothy Matlack using a quill dipped in iron gall ink.
Unfortunately, the preservation methods employed for historical documents, including the Declaration of Independence, have not always been optimal. The Declaration of Independence, for instance, suffered damage during the early days of the Revolutionary War due to crude folding and rolling, causing some of the original ink to flake off.
Primary Allowance: Is It in the Constitution?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is written in Roundhand, a variant of English round-hand, which is also known as copperplate.
The US Constitution was penned by Jacob Shallus, Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus was chosen because of his exceptional penmanship.
The original US Constitution is kept behind glass in the upper level of the National Archives in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
